Virginia's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Virginia saw some popular baby names for boys and girls. Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, followed by Shirley and Barbara. Mary has been one of the most popular names for baby girls in the United States for decades, and it's no surprise that it was the top name in Virginia in 1938. Shirley and Barbara were also popular names during that time, and they continue to be popular even today.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name in Virginia in 1938, followed by William and Robert. James has been a popular name for boys for centuries and continues to be a popular choice for parents. William and Robert are also classic names that have stood the test of time. These names were popular in Virginia in 1938, and they continue to be popular today, proving that classic names never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1938

In Virginia, 1938, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Shirley, Barbara, Betty, and Nancy. Mary was the most popular name with 1386 babies given that name, followed by Shirley with 1025 babies. Barbara, Betty, and Nancy were also popular names with 943, 942, and 580 babies given those names, respectively.

Mary

1386 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Shirley

1025 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Barbara

943 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Betty

942 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Nancy

580 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Dorothy
478 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret
401 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joyce
373 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Frances
370 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Patricia
365 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Peggy
342 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Virginia
321 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Doris
317 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Helen
312 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Elizabeth
290 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Jean
270 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Martha
256 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Ruth
223 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Phyllis
218 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Alice
213 baby girls born in Virginia (1938) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1938

According to records from Virginia in 1938, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 1807 babies given that name, followed by William with 1312, Robert with 1235, John with 1013, and Charles with 802. These classic and timeless names continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

James

1807 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1312 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Robert

1235 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
John

1013 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
Charles

802 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
George
501 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Donald
494 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Thomas
481 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Richard
464 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
364 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Joseph
351 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
330 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Bobby
281 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Paul
258 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Kenneth
249 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Billy
241 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Walter
220 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Harold
219 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.
Raymond
212 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Frank
200 baby boys born in Virginia (1938) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".